app store gaminghttp://www.maclife.com/taxonomy/term/7792/all
enApple Debuts App Store "Best New Game Updates" Sectionhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_debuts_app_store_best_new_game_updates_section
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/app_store_best_new_game_updates_620px.png" alt="Best New Game Updates" width="620" height="300" /></p><p>Apple continues to improve discoverability in the App Store, this week adding a new section specifically dedicated to the latest and greatest updates to popular iOS gaming titles.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">MacRumors reported Thursday</a> that Apple has introduced a new section to the App Store entitled <a href=" https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewRoom?fcId=893349067&amp;genreIdString=36&amp;ign-mscache=1&amp;ign-msr=http%3A%2F%2Fappadvice.com%2Fappnn%2F2014%2F06%2Fapple-highlights-best-new-game-updates-in-new-app-store-featured-section&amp;mediaTypeString=Mobile%20Software%20Applications" target="_blank">"Best New Game Updates,"</a> where shoppers can view updates to already released games.<br /><br />Although Apple previously included updates in the existing "Best New Games" section of the iOS App Store, the dedicated section appears to be a new way for developers to get eyeballs on titles that have been recently refreshed with new features.<br /><br />Among the previously released game titles receiving new love from Cupertino's virtual storefront are Plants vs. Zombies 2, Zen Pinball, Marvel Pinball, and Subway Surfers, an endless runner title that is frequently updated with new locations and other content.<br /><br />The "Best New Game Updates" section follows other recent App Store improvements such as the new highlights sections rolled out last month for the best apps, games, and updates, as well as the "Indie Game Showcase" which debuted in March.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="https://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p><em>(Image courtesy of MacRumors)</em></p><p><em><br /></em></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_debuts_app_store_best_new_game_updates_section#commentsNewsapp discoveryApp Storeapp store gamingapp updatesApple Inc.game updatesgamesios app updatesios gamingiPadiPhoneiPodFri, 27 Jun 2014 13:24:02 +0000J.R. Bookwalter20229 at http://www.maclife.comSky Gamblers: Air Supremacy for Mac Reviewhttp://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/sky_gamblers_air_supremacy_mac_review
<!--paging_filter--><h3>Down those dastardly dogfighters on any device</h3><p>While Game Center on Mac has yet to really offer a bounty of great games, Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy is the first big title to take advantage of cross-play between Mac OS X and iOS devices. Surprisingly, the transition to a keyboard-centric control setup feels less comfortable than the touchscreen interface, but Air Supremacy is still a stellar aerial combat game with excellent online multiplayer.<br /><br />The single-player campaign of Air Supremacy tasks you with blasting enemies out of the sky, land, and sea using homing missiles and machine gun fire. While the actual objectives and gameplay of each mission entertain, the story is a convoluted mess, told through comic book–style pages. Regardless, the plot isn’t that important; Air Supremacy is all about the combat.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.maclife.com/files/u307916/2012/Online/appreviews/skygamblers-screen2.jpg" width="620" height="388" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Air Supremacy has more than jets. Old-school fighter planes add some variety.</strong></p><p>Multiplayer is where Air Supremacy really shines. Like its iOS sibling, a multitude of match types are possible--including deathmatch, capture the flag, and survival--which are playable over local Wi-Fi, online, or Game Center match. While the online skirmishes work flawlessly, Game Center functionality appears to have some bugs as of this writing. During testing, I was unable to join any Game Center matches, which is a shame, as this is one of the few occasions where Mac and iOS gamers can compete head to head.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.maclife.com/files/u307916/2012/Online/appreviews/skygamblers-screen1.jpg" width="620" height="388" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Locking on to multiple enemies and blasting them apart feels great.</strong></p><p>Thankfully, a recent update (1.3.1) carries over all of your stats and unlocked jets from the iOS version of Air Supremacy. Jumping from the iPad to a Mac now feels seamless, and adds real value to the overall experience. If you’ve yet to play the iOS version, all of the jets are available right away via in-app purchase, but luckily, there’s no inherent need to plunk down cash--every plane is attainable through normal play, and you’ll see many of them appear in your roster as you take down missions and online foes alike.<br /><br /><strong>The bottom line.</strong> Thanks to iCloud sync and great multiplayer (despite Game Center issues), Air Supremacy is a worthwhile addition to the Mac App Store.</p><fieldset class="fieldgroup group-the-bottom-line"><legend>Review Synopsis</legend><div class="field field-type-text field-field-product">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Product:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
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<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sky-gamblers-air-supremacy/id529680523?mt=12" target="_blank">Sky Gamblers: Air Supremacy</a></p> </div>
</div>
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<div class="field field-type-text field-field-company">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Company:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
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Namco Bandai </div>
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<div class="field field-type-text field-field-contact">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Contact:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
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<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p><a href="http://www.namcobandaigames.com" target="_blank">www.namcobandaigames.com</a></p> </div>
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</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-price">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Price:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
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<div class="field-item odd">
$4.99; &lt;a href=&quot;http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sky-gamblers-air-supremacy/id529680523?mt=12&quot;&gt;Available in the Mac App Store&lt;/a&gt; </div>
</div>
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<div class="field field-type-text field-field-requirements">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Requirements:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>OS X 10.7 or later</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-positives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Positives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Great visuals. Lots of content for very low price. Fast-paced online multiplayer.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-negatives">
<div class="field-label"><p><strong>Negatives:</strong>&nbsp;<p></div>
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<!--paging_filter--><p>Game Center connectivity issues. Weak story.</p> </div>
</div>
</div>
</fieldset>
http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/sky_gamblers_air_supremacy_mac_review#commentsReviewsapp store gamesapp store gaminggame centerGamesmac app storemac app store reviewsnamcoNamco BandaiSky Gamblers: Air SupremacySoftwareMacGamesThu, 04 Oct 2012 12:01:52 +0000Matt Clark15212 at http://www.maclife.comOMG! Activision Anthology Brings 45 Atari 2600 Classics to iOShttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/omg_activision_anthology_brings_45_atari_2600_classics_ios
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/activision_anthology_200px.png" alt="Activision Anthology" width="201" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Atari 2600 fans, sit down and take a deep breath, because your prayers have been answered! Following up on their "reimagining" of the classic Pitfall!, Activision has gone ahead and released a free iOS app which includes all 45 of the original games.<br /><br /><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/activision-anthology/id542727742?mt=8" target="_blank">Activision Publishing, Inc. has released Activision Anthology</a>, a free universal iOS app which brings all 45 of the company's classic Atari 2600 games to the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad at last.<br /><br />And yes, that includes the original Pitfall!, which was recently released in a shiny new Temple Run-style version -- but if you were jonesing for the real thing, you'll get that and a whole lot more here.<br /><br />While Activision Anthology is a free app, it only includes the classic KABOOM! -- to get the rest of the catalog, you'll have to pony up for some in-app purchases, available as a set of 11 titles for $2.99 or you can procure the remaining 44 games for a mere $6.99 in one fell swoop.<br /><br />Between this app and the existing Atari's Greatest Hits, we're seriously reliving our youth over here, folks! <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/activision-anthology/id542727742?mt=8" target="_blank">Activision Anthology</a> is available now from the App Store and requires an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad running iOS 4.3 or later.<br /><br />Now excuse us as we bail out on work for the rest of the day…<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/omg_activision_anthology_brings_45_atari_2600_classics_ios#commentsNewsActivisionActivision AnthologyApp Storeapp store gamingAtariclassic gamesios gamingnew appsPITFALL!iPadiPhoneiPodThu, 30 Aug 2012 14:29:47 +0000J.R. Bookwalter14936 at http://www.maclife.comFirst One’s Free: “Freemium” Games Lucrative for Mobile Developershttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/first_one%E2%80%99s_free_%E2%80%9Cfreemium%E2%80%9D_games_lucrative_mobile_developers
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u220903/temple_run_200px.png" alt="Temple Run" width="200" height="150" class="graphic-right" />Have you ever downloaded a free game on your iPhone and wondered how in the world the developer could possibly be making money with it? As it turns out, the so-called “freemium” business model is actually far more lucrative than charging money, at least for mobile.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/technology/game-makers-give-away-freemium-products.html?_r=2&amp;ref=technology&amp;pagewanted=all" target="_blank"><em>The New York Times</em> has an interesting article that throws back the curtain on so-called “freemium” games</a> -- the ones you can download free of charge but can ultimately cost users far more in the long run than if they had just paid up front. While free games might come with the stigma “of being low quality or full of annoying ads,” it turns out they’re a great way to hook new users -- and keep them coming back.<br /><br />“When you tell a friend about it and they go to the App Store and it’s free, they download it without thinking about it,” explains Natalia Luckyanova, half of the husband and wife team that created the iOS game <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/temple-run/id420009108?mt=8" target="_blank">Temple Run</a>. “Then there’s stickiness and the addictiveness and people talking about it.”<br /><br />Luckyanova and husband Keith Shepherd released Temple Run in the App Store last August as a 99-cent game where “players must stay a step ahead of angry apes while avoiding booby traps and collecting coins.” While the first month of sales were decent, it was nothing compared to what happened in September, when Temple Run was offered as a freebie through the Free App a Day website.<br /><br />Since going free, the app has topped 40 million downloads, and Luckyanova says upwards of 13 million people play Tempe Run at least once every day. Currently perched at Number 14 on Apple’s top-grossing charts, these “freemium” games bait users who might otherwise not spend even 99 cents on a given title -- and once they’re hooked, they’ll spend money in “a virtual store to buy new characters, different backdrops and power-ups, or special boosters.”<br /><br />The concept has proven wildly successful for Zynga, the creators of FarmVille who has expanded beyond their former comfort zone with Facebook and into a $1 billion initial public offering -- proving that the drug dealer’s mantra of “the first one’s free” can apply to other types of business as well.<br /><br /><em>Follow this article’s author, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JRBTempe" target="_blank">J.R. Bookwalter on Twitter</a><br /><br />(Image courtesy of The New York Times)</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/first_one%E2%80%99s_free_%E2%80%9Cfreemium%E2%80%9D_games_lucrative_mobile_developers#commentsNewsApp Storeapp store gamingfarmvillefreemiumios gamesmobile gamingnew york timesTemple RunzyngaiPhoneiPodMon, 19 Mar 2012 13:48:14 +0000J.R. Bookwalter13577 at http://www.maclife.comPlayers' Choice: Vote for an EA Mobile App You'd Like to See on Sale!http://www.maclife.com/article/news/players_choice_vote_ea_mobile_app_youd_see_sale
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-ea-players-choice-600.jpg" width="600" height="338" /></p><p>EA makes some awesome iOS titles, and they're <em>generally</em> worth every penny of their cost, at least in MY humble opinion. (I mean, have you played Fight Night Champion? It rules!)</p><p>But who doesn't like to save a few bucks here and there? Especially in the App Store, since every dollar you save is another rad app you can potentially buy.</p><p>Well, you're in luck, Cheapo McTightwad. EA Mobile has offered us, the MacLife community, the awesome opportunity to choose our favorite EA app, the one we'd most like to see go on sale. And then it'll go on sale! Your humble MacLife editors got to nominate the apps that'll appear in the poll, and you guys get to vote on it. And then EA will put it on sale and a hefty discount -- we're talking 50 percent or more.</p><p><em>How it works:</em></p><p><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&amp;id=10150248795223529&amp;qa_ref=qd" target="_blank">Head to our Facebook page</a></strong>, where we've set up the poll. Vote for the game you'd most like to get on the cheap. And tell your friends to vote too! The more votes the better; let's really make our voices heard. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&amp;id=10150248795223529&amp;qa_ref=qd" target="_blank">Spout off on Facebook</a> or here in the comments if you have any questions, but really, it's quite simple. <strong>We'll take votes until midnight Pacific time May 17</strong>, and then EA will do their magic.</p><h2>To get you excited, the nominees are:</h2><p><strong><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-fightnight-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></strong></p><p><strong>Fight Night Champion</strong> for iPhone (<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/fight_night_champion_ea_sports_review">our review</a>) (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ffight-night-champion-by-ea%252Fid419250877%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $4.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-deadspace-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></p><p><strong>Dead Space</strong> for iPhone (<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/dead_space_ipad_review">our review</a>, which is of the iPad version) (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdead-space%252Fid396018321%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $6.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-sims3-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></p><p><strong>The Sims 3 </strong>for iPhone (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fthe-sims-3%252Fid317904170%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $6.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-nbajamipad-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></p><p><strong>NBA Jam for iPad</strong> (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fnba-jam-by-ea-sports-for-ipad%252Fid426282304%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $9.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-deadspaceipad-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></p><p><strong>Dead Space for iPad</strong> (<a href="http://www.maclife.com/article/reviews/dead_space_ipad_review">our review</a>) (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Fdead-space-for-ipad%252Fid396019894%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $9.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="/files/u18/2011/05/0512-tiger12ipad-icon-150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></p><p><strong>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad</strong> (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=ApuPaiKIpxg&amp;offerid=146261&amp;type=3&amp;subid=0&amp;tmpid=1826&amp;RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Fapp%252Ftiger-woods-pga-tour-12-for%252Fid427703804%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30" target="_blank">iTunes link</a>, currently $6.99)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What are you waiting for?! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&amp;id=10150248795223529&amp;qa_ref=qd" target="_blank"><strong>Get over to our Facebook page and vote!</strong></a></p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/players_choice_vote_ea_mobile_app_youd_see_sale#commentsNewsApp Salesapp store gamingAppLifeAppsEA SportsElectronic Artsipad gamesiPhone GamesiPadiPhoneiPodGamesSat, 14 May 2011 22:45:58 +0000Susie Ochs10935 at http://www.maclife.comApple Hires Two PR Execs, Internet Explodes In Speculationhttp://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_hires_two_pr_execs_internet_explodes_speculation
<!--paging_filter--><p><img src="/files/u310631/apple_big.jpg" alt="Apple" width="500" height="375" /></p><p>Over the weekend, news broke that Apple <a href="http://www.mcvuk.com/news/43894/Now-Activisions-Nick-Grange-joins-Apple" target="_blank">had hired</a> two new <a href="http://www.mcvuk.com/news/43885/Rob-Saunders-heading-to-Apple" target="_blank">public relations executives</a> by the names of Nick Grange and Rob Saunders. Why was there so much excitement? Because those two executives came from console gaming giants Activision and Nintendo, and they'll be coming to Apple to head PR for iOS apps. Of course this means Apple is about to take over the gaming industry, and they're rubbing it in Activision's and Nintendo's face by stealing their executives! Right? Yeah, probably not.</p><p>A lot of this is still mired in rumor at the moment, but speculation has Nick Grange specifically heading up PR for iPad gaming. Just remember to stay calm, folks. Reports and speculation are rampant at this point. There are even people who are <a href="http://www.macgasm.net/2011/04/08/apple-to-hire-two-games-industry-pr-execs-renewed-focus/" target="_blank">spouting</a> that this could be an indication that Apple is gearing up for a run on the console gaming industry. They may be planning something like that, but we can tell you with certainty that hiring a new PR director is nothing even close to an indication of that plan.</p><p>This event likely means very little for Apple fans and consumers. All this means is that Apple may finally be getting serious about helping developers advertise and sell their games. Which is still a far cry from what developers and observers have been calling on Apple to do for a long time, which is to develop a first party game development studio to lead the charge on iOS gaming.</p><p>As of right now, all this story means is that Apple wanted top tier talent, so they made a great offer to two of the top professionals in the field.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/news/apple_hires_two_pr_execs_internet_explodes_speculation#commentsNewsActivisionapp store gamingappleGamingiOSnintendoPRiPadiPhoneiPodGamesMon, 11 Apr 2011 16:40:35 +0000Andrew Groen10617 at http://www.maclife.comGallery: 8 iOS Substitutes for Nintendo 3DS Gameshttp://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_8_ios_substitutes_nintendo_3ds_games
<!--paging_filter--><p>The Nintendo 3DS launched this week, delivering a stereoscopic 3D handheld experience without the need for special glasses. But if the thought of dropping $250 on a new portable gaming device sends you into a conniption -- especially scant weeks after the iPad 2 release -- worry not. Many of the Nintendo 3DS launch games (or suitable substitutes) are also available for iPhone and iPad. These games lack the 3D effects and offer varying features, but you'll avoid straining your eyes as well as your wallet, as all of these games sell for much less than the average $40 3DS game.</p><p>Check 'em out below -- the links go to the App Store, and you can click any image to see it larger. Happy downloading!</p><p>&nbsp;</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_8_ios_substitutes_nintendo_3ds_games#commentsGalleryNewsapp store gamesapp store gamingAppLifeAppsCapcomEA SportsElectronic ArtsGameloftnamcongmocoNintendo 3DSSegaTaitoFeaturesiPadiPhoneiPodGamesWed, 30 Mar 2011 20:55:54 +0000Andrew Hayward10497 at http://www.maclife.comGallery: PAX East 2011http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_pax_east_2011
<!--paging_filter--><p><em>Mac|Life</em> was in Boston this weekend to scope out the Apple gaming presence at the bi-annual Penny Arcade Expo. PAX is primarily known for its focus on console gaming, but Apple gaming -- particularly iOS games -- have slowly been creeping into the show.</p>http://www.maclife.com/article/gallery/gallery_pax_east_2011#commentsGalleryapp store gamingiOSiPadMacPAX East 2011Penny Arcade ExpoiPadiPhoneiPodMacGamesTue, 15 Mar 2011 18:50:59 +0000Andrew Groen10264 at http://www.maclife.com